Life Catcher

Chapter Eleven: Screech

11.

The sky begins to darken as I hunt and I know a storm is coming. I've already caught two squirrels but I won't be finding much game after the storm so I continue. With only five arrows left, I gather sturdy sticks to make more.

There is suddenly a whisper, but I don't quite ketch the words. So I ignore it and walk on, nailing one more squirrel. It's surprising I haven't seen a Nome yet. I'd usually kill dozens by now. I hear thunder and try quickly to find one more squirrel. That's when I notice the forest is too quiet. No birds humming, no critters chattering, and most of all; no insects.

I freeze to the sound of a whistle. It could be an animal but it sounds too humane. Footsteps are heard to my left and I point my bow near the sound. The footsteps muffle, and I hear a twig snap to my left. There's more whispering and I load my bow with two arrows just in case. There's a sudden screech and dark blur slices my side. I double over in pain and feel where I was injured. The gash is so deep I can feel muscle. My vision blurs but I focus and regain vision.

There's giggling and I almost pass out from the unbearable pain. The giggling transforms into a haunting screech and I cover my ears in fear. I quickly recover my wound because of the pain.

"Well, well if it isn't Cleo. Dr. Death told me so much about you. I bet you're just thrilled to meet me," says a little female voice.

I try to locate the sound but it seems to be coming from nowhere. She giggles obviously from my fear. My stomach churns from all the blood loss and my ears begin to ring. The screech returns.

It sounds so loud now my head feels as though it will explode. A darkness passes over me and I shiver from the coldness I'm now feeling. Winter is so lucky he can heal himself because I feel like I'm dieing. I'm tempted to look down at my wound but I know it won't be a pretty sight. I feel for my bow because my fingers begin to feel numb.

"Aw, would you like help with that?" she giggles.

"Who are you?" I say my voice raspy but weak.

"I thought you were smart. Guess," she says teasingly.

I try to pull from my memory but I'm not too good at that. I look up again and this time I find my self face to face with a grinning little girl. Blood dampens my lips and she giggles.

"Come on Cleo! You can do it! Just guess. It's not that hard. It starts with an 's'," she giggles. She must really like seeing people in pain.

"I don't . . . know," I say out of breath. I fall on my back clutching my stomach from the vigorous pain. She looks down at me and beams.

"Ugh, you're hopeless. It's Screech, duh," she says in her playful voice.

"Why . . .are you . . .doing this?" I ask desperately.

For a cute little girl she sure is cruel. She just laughs and I begin to sense some insanity. My vision blurs again and she laughs so hard some of her sliver lands on my face. I would be disgusted but I'm already disgusted by my wound.

"I'm sorry. What was that? You want to know why I am doing this?" She says her voice a little too bright. "Because your stupid little friend beat the crap out of me earlier and threw my master God knows where!" She screams outrageously.

"And this. . . This is my fault . . . Because . . .?" I ask cautiously. Don't want to get little miss devil angry.

"Because I just hate when people kick my butt. Wouldn't you Miss Cleo?" she says in her scary yet happy voice.

"Uh. . ." I begin.

"Would you!?" She screams in rage her face turning as red as my blood.

"Yes, ma'am," I say quickly.